Sporting briefs

Hildebrand: Schalke 04 will be without former German international goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand for today’s Bundesliga clash at Hoffenheim after he damaged his elbow during the Royal Blues’ defeat at Bilbao. The 32-year-old went off at half-time in their 4-2 defeat in Germany during Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first-leg.

Balotelli: UEFA are set to announce the verdict of their hearing into allegations that Man. City striker Mario Balotelli was racially abused by Porto fans this week. Balotelli was allegedly subjected to monkey taunts from home supporters during the first leg of City’s Europa League last-32 tie at the Estadio do Dragao on February 16.

In Croatia: Varazdin were on Friday expelled from Croatia’s first division after they failed to pay the money they owed to two of their former players, the national football federation (HNS) ruled. As the club did not fulfill their financial obligations towards Milan Pavlicic and Igor Prahic, who had filed a complaint with the HNS, they did not play yesterday’s match against Cibalia Vinkovci, the federation said.

Gyan: Asamoah Gyan scored twice as Al-Ain extended their lead at the top of the UAE League with a 3-0 victory over Bani Yas. Ali Al-Wehaibi put the hosts ahead in the 26th minute before two goals by former Sunderland striker Gyan (54, 84) saw Al-Ain move nine points clear of Al-Shabab.